The Trinidad and Tobago women’s national football team delivered a commanding performance in their Concacaf W Qualifier debut, securing an impressive 5-0 victory against Barbados at Kensington Oval on December 1. The match marked a spectacular beginning to their campaign in Group F, which also includes El Salvador and Honduras.
Despite initial challenges adapting to the cricket pitch’s unusual bounce, the visiting team established early dominance. Captain Kennya “YaYa” Cordner broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a clinical finish from close range after goalkeeper Lisa Harding parried a powerful header from defender Kedie Johnson.
The first half saw several near-misses for Trinidad and Tobago, including Alexcia Ali’s disallowed goal for offside and Nikita Gosine’s free kick striking the crossbar. Barbados’ best opportunity came from Rianna Cyrus, whose weak shot failed to trouble TT goalkeeper Simone Eligon.
Strategic positional adjustments at halftime proved instrumental in TT’s second-half explosion. Johnson, shifted to left back, unleashed a spectacular 30-yard left-footed strike in the 77th minute that dipped dramatically beyond Harding’s reach. This breakthrough ignited a scoring frenzy in the final stages.
Substitute Ariana Borneo made an immediate impact after her 67th-minute introduction, adding a third goal with a exquisite left-footed curler from outside the box in the 82nd minute. The offensive barrage continued as Aaliyah Prince showcased exceptional dribbling skills before slotting home a precise finish just moments later.
The comprehensive victory was capped in stoppage time when Lorall Romain drilled a fifth goal through a crowded penalty area following an indirect free kick awarded for a goalkeeper infringement.
The win provides ideal momentum for Trinidad and Tobago, who now await their next qualifier against Honduras on March 3, followed by a home fixture against El Salvador on April 16. The tournament structure sees only group winners advancing to the 2025 Concacaf W Championship, which serves as the qualifying pathway to both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.